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“All representatives felt betrayed today and members lost trust in the minister because they expected her to fulfill her promises.
“We are back in our offices now and people are organising a one-day industrial action for Thursday. All civil servants are expected to take part in the strike, which is not a political issue but just a way of expressing
our disappointment and passing on the message to Government,” said Ms Chikowore.
The Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) secretary-general, Mr Richard Gundani, said they would go ahead with tomorrow’s strike.
“The minister did not attend the meeting as she had promised, let alone tell us when she would be able to meet us.
“Our way forward is clear now. We are going ahead with the one-day strike and we have started communicating with our members,” said Mr Gundani.
He said it was high time the Government became serious about the civil servants’ issues and stop taking them for granted.
“We have realised that it is running late and the Government continues to take us for granted. This is the first year that the Government has decided not to grant civil servants salary increases in January. The strike is meant to remind our employer how serious we are, and we want the issue to be solved once and for all.
“All the civil servants’ bodies were present at Kaguvi Building and anxiously waited for the meeting that never materialised. We have agreed to go ahead with the strike,” said Mr Gundani.
The Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general, Mr Raymond Majongwe, said he was happy that other civil servants unions had decided to join in the strike.
“We are together in Thursday’s strike and as PTUZ, we welcome everybody who has realised that striking is the only way to make the Government act,” said Mr Majongwe.
Minister Matibenga declined comment on the issue, saying she was not willing to discuss anything on civil servants’ salaries.
“I am not willing to discuss anything with anyone anytime soon or whenever,” she said, before hanging up her mobile phone.
Online Reporter